Multispecialty Ultrasound Exam Table
Product Evaluation
Evaluated by: Carolyn T. Con, MPH, RDMS, RVT, RDCS
CEO & Consultant,
Sound Ergonomics, LLC
Ultrasound
Product
Evaluation for
Oakworks
Medical
Product: Multispecialty Ultrasound Exam Table with
Cardiac Slide
To accommodate multiple users, equipment should be adjustable to t the physical dimensions of
90% of the user population with the lower limits of adjustability chosen to t the 5th percentile
female and the upper limits to t the 95th percentile male. e largest dierences in physical
dimensions are related to gender, age, and ethnicity.1 A broad range of adjustability will t the largest
population of users. e majority of data from the United States have been collected on military
personnel and are used for the basis of design comparisons.2 For the purposes of equipment design,
the dierences in anthropometric data from this population to other user populations may not
be signicant.
Overall design of an ultrasound exam table should incorporate features that allow for multiple
adjustments, ease of mobility and accessible brakes that are quickly activated. Ultrasound exam
tables are not designed to be transport stretchers; however, the features of the table should allow the
sonographer to quickly position the exam table within the exam room in order to achieve the most
comfortable work position. ere should be no features that interfere with positioning the patient
close to the user or positioning the ultrasound system close to the table. e table should be designed
to be used by the sonographer in both seated and standing positions with a wide range of height
adjustability. Additional, exam-specic features should be available which will allow the user to adapt
the table for a variety of dierent exam specialties.
Discussion
An ergonomic evaluation of the newly redesigned multispecialty ultrasound exam table by Oakworks
was performed using e Industry Standards for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal
Disorders in Sonography.1 is allows for an objective review of exam table features as they relate to
the accepted standards for this profession and not as they compare to other exam tables in the industry.
Additional advanced ergonomic standards have also been included, which can serve as a guide for
future development.
Product Evaluation
EVALUATION FACTOR Ye s No N/A or Not
eval’d
HEIGHT ADJUSTABILITY
1. Low enough to allow patients to get on & o unassisted X
2. Height range allows user to maintain arm abduction less than 30 degrees X
3. Allows user to alternate sitting & standing during the exam X
4. Maneuverable and full-wheel mobility X
LOCKING OPTIONS
5. Easily operated wheel locks X
6. Central locking casters available
(important for labs that oen reposition the table in the exam room) X
ACCESSIBILITY
7. Open access from all sides X
8. Table support & frame do not interfere with minimal user reach/arm abduction X
9. Side rails do not extend beyond the table top X
10. User can place knees and/or feet underneath the table X
11. Dropping footboard & retractable foot rests (stirrups) X
12. Electrically dropping footboard X
13. Adjustable footboard, preferably split to allow for non-weight bearing studies \ N/A
14. Cut-out section for cardiac apical access N/A
15. Eletrically controlled cardiac panel N/A
16. Right and/or le back access panel X
17. Electrically controlled back access panel X
18. Controls are electronic X
19. Option for both hand and foot controls X
20. Controls and accessible X
21. Controls are easy to use X
OTHER OPTIONS
22. Trendelenburg/reverse Trendelenburg X
23. Option for at least 40° table tilt N/A
24. Fowler capability X
25. Removable armboard X
26. Side rails (preferably attached rather than removable) X
27. Side rails tuck completely under the table X
28. Option for table extender X
29. Patient safety devices X
Exam Table Assessment
In addition to the above, the exam table was also evaluated for appearance, patient comfort and safety and user interface.
e multispecialty exam table exceeds all the industry standards as dened above. In addition, the
table met the advanced standards that have been added. A number of additional observations are
discussed below.
Overall appearance/design:
is table has a very sleek and uncluttered appearance. One feature that is impressive is the dual tower
design, which ensures stability of the table and exibility in its range of adjustability. e mattress
extends to the edge of the table top frame and does not taper down to the frame. is feature allows
the user to position patients on the edge of the table and allows room for arm support cushions for
the sonographer.
Locking mechanisms:
is table has individual wheel locks (all operated by foot) as a standard feature. A central locking
system can be added as an option and is electrically engaged from the hand control. For departments
that reposition the exam table within the scanning room on a regular basis, this feature is desirable. If
the table is not moved very oen, individual wheel locks work well.
Height range:
is range is from 19” to 33”. e lowest position allows for easy patient access, both from a standing
position and from a wheelchair and complies with ADA requirements of equal access to care. e upper
range, although lower than the original design, still allows the sonographer to position the table to
reduce his/her arm abduction regardless of the type of exam. A wide height range allows sonographers
to alternate between standing and sitting throughout each exam. It also accommodates the height range
of 95th percentile of sonographers working in a facility.
Electric controls:
Table height, Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg and Fowler are all controlled electrically with
both the hand and foot controls. Table height adjustability, available on both controls, is the most
important for sonographer access to the patient and for reducing injury risk factors. If this control is
manual or is not easy to reach, sonographers will not take the time to make height adjustments, and
this feature no longer contributes to the ergonomics of an exam table. e electric adjustability for the
cardiac access panel and the back access panel is especially important for echocardiography labs since
some sonographers scan these exams right-handed and cannot reach across the patient to manually
adjust the cardiac slide panel. If the sonographers scan le-handed, the electric back access panel is
easier for them to use when positioning the patient on his/her le side. All the adjustable features of the
table are present on the hand control, customized to each the exam specialty.
Observations
e back access panel is longer than the one on the original design. is provides more support for patients
when lying on their side and provides more space for the sonographer to step in closer to the patient when
scanning an abdomen and/or pelvis. is feature is available either on right only or on both sides.
ere are 2 presets on the hand control – one is the Loading Position, with the table at and at appropriate
height for patient access, footboard up and cardiac access and back access panels closed. e other is the
Working Position which positions the table at a working height of 30”.
Sonographers should be given clear instructions for using the hand control initially until it becomes
intuitive. ey have oen been using stretchers or other similar exam tables that have to be manually
adjusted. Understanding the functions of the hand control and reasons for those functions will prevent
frustration on the part of the users.
Mobility:
e exam table was moved around within a simulated exam room space on carpet only, with and without
a “patient” on it. e table moves freely on carpet without weight on it but is much more dicult to move
with weight. However, carpet is not common in hospital and clinic ultrasound departments; and moving
the table in the room is generally done before bringing the patient in.
Patient positioning/accommodation:
e table width comes in 26” and 30” (with the exception of the echocardiography table, which is 30”)
ese widths will accommodate a wide range of patient sizes and a range of exam room sizes. e table li
and load capacities are the same at 550 lbs. is is an extremely important feature since a table that will
not li as much weight as it can hold, cannot be adjusted in height during the ultrasound exam to reduce
either sonographer arm abduction or trunk bending to reach the patient. A load capacity that is higher
than the li capacity detracts from the ergonomic design of an exam table used for ultrasound and/or
interventional procedures.
Side rails:
ese are optional on this table and are designed to fold under the table frame so that they do not obstruct
access to the patient. ey are low enough so that they can be up in place during an exam and not cause
excessive sonographer reaching and/or arm abduction. e design of the side rails and their position on the
table frame allow the patient to use them for support when the table is moved into reverse Trendelenburg.
e rails tuck far under the table and “lock” in place giving sonographers and/or physicians seated access
to the patient during procedures.
Padding can also be added to the siderails for patient comfort; it is easy to detach and clean.
Observations (continued)
a) Paper roll holder – is feature is a good design. It is recessed under the head of the table frame
which eliminates any obstruction to patient access from the head of the table. e holder can
also be folded down against the table and, thus, be completely out of the way if it were not in use.
b) Head rest – is item can easily be attached to the head of the table, both for patient comfort and
for access to the patient’s neck. Its design allows it to be used when the patient is in either a supine
or prone position.
c) T-rails – is feature can be attached at a number of locations on the table frame and can support the
addition of dierent items, such as an I.V. pole. Another possibility is the attachment of a stand (or
shelf) that could be positioned partially over the patient and used to hold a hand-carried ultrasound
system or a procedure tray. e sonographer or physician could position this stand so as to reduce or
eliminate the need to reach or twist to access the ultrasound system or the tray. Because the t-rail
can be easily removed, these items can be added only when needed and do not have to be
permanently attached to the table frame.
d) Battery backup – is optional feature might be important for outpatient clinics and private oces.
Hospitals generally have back-up generators for use in power failures; however, they may choose to
add this just for more patient safety.
Observations (continued)
Other Features
Footboard:
e footboard on this exam table is controlled electrically and narrow enough to t between the stirrups
when extended. e patient can be positioned in the stirrups and the footboard can then be dropped. e
footboard can also be raised while the stirrups are extended. is is important for getting the patient back
into a comfortable position once the stirrups are retracted since the footboard can be raised prior to that.
Table padding:
e 3” thickness of the padding makes the table very comfortable. e pads can be removed easily for
cleaning or for any upholstery repairs that might be necessary.
References:
1. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Industry Standards for the Prevention of
Musculoskeletal Disorders in Sonography, 2003, updated 2016.
2. Kroemer K, Grandjean E. Fitting the Task to the Human. A Textbook of Occupational
Ergonomics. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis, Inc; 1997.
3. Salvendy G. Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics. New York; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 1997.
Copyright 2021 - by Oakworks Medical
We found this exam table to be outstanding in its design, ergonomic features and user interface.
An ergonomic exam table is a pivotal piece of the ultrasound exam room workstation and should be easy
and quick to adjust, factors which ensure that it will be used to its full capacity. We found the features of
this exam table exceeded not only the industry standards but our proposed advanced standards and our
expectations of how we could position this table for a variety of ultrasound exams. is table meets the
requirements for inclusion in our Sound Work Environments® certication program.
Submitted by: Carolyn T. Con, MPH, RDMS, RVT, RDCS
CEO & Consultant, Sound Ergonomics, LLC
6830 NE Bothell Way, #C-236, Kenmore, WA 98028
425-489-3839 www.soundergonomics.com
Conclusions
Other Features (continued)
Additional comments:
e stirrups were easier to pull out than those of initial prototype. ey may also get easier to move in
and out with repeated use.
e knob used to release the side rails is now easier to pull out. Again, repeated use may make this
even easier.
e user manual is thorough and clear. It has been clearly divided into each specialty with all the
instructions specic to that table grouped together.
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